1980 Christmas movie
Rating: 15/20
Plot: A kid catches Santa Claus being naughty with his mother. Later, as an adult working in a toy factory, he decides that the world needs a Santa Claus and starts scouting out who is naughty and who is nice. Then, he kills some people.
This, John Waters' favorite Christmas movie, is a pretty interesting film, mostly because of the performance of Brandon Maggart who plays the crazy guy. His descent into madness is just subdued enough and just manic enough to make a story that often has trouble knowing where it's going and is filled with pacing and editing problems work. It's a powerful and nuanced performance, one of those going-nutso characterizations that always threaten to cross the boundary line into silly territory but never does. Sure, he stalks neighborhood kids, really getting annoyed at one young lad's obsession with Penthouse magazines. But you can still somewhat identify with what is going on with this character. And if there's ever a remake, Nicolas Cage should take the part. This has a real what-the-hell ending, and the time frame, especially as the story sort-of winds down, is wacky, but I dug what I perceived to be references to M and appreciate a Christmas comedy that isn't afraid to be this black. I wonder if this is the only movie that has a Santa Claus police line-up? I can definitely see why it appeals to Waters because most normal people would be a little put off by the subversive story and humor. It differs from the earlier Black Christmas because it is very much character driven and not really a slasher movie at all. Maggart's character kills, but it's part of a bigger picture of a guy who has lost his mind and is taking Christmas and the idea of Santa Claus to extremes. There's so much music, mostly avant-tinklings, whirrs, and scrapings. This is imperfect, a little amateurish in places, but I really liked the vibe and even the strange ending. Unfortunately, this was the only movie that Lewis Jackson directed.
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